Hot Springs National Park: A Visitor Guide

Hot Springs National Park protects nonvolcanic geothermal springs formed by a distinctive combination of geology and water sources. The area became Hot Springs Reservation in 1832, before later becoming a national park.

Opening hours

• Monday to Sunday: 5 AM–10 PM

Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.

Bathhouse Row and the Grand Promenade are part of a National Historic Landmark District. For more background on the springs and bathhouses, read this history of Hot Springs National Park.

Bathhouse Row brings together eight bathhouse buildings constructed between 1892 and 1923. The row’s paved walkway loops around the block and is 4 to 5 feet wide; every bathhouse building is wheelchair accessible.

There are no outdoor soaking opportunities in the park. You can bathe in thermal water at the Buckstaff and Quapaw bathhouses. Buckstaff, at 509 Central Avenue, opened in 1912 and is the only Bathhouse Row facility that has never fully closed since it began offering baths.

Quapaw, at 413 Central Avenue, offers thermal pools, private baths, and a steam cave. Its operator sets service details, rates, reservations, and hours.

The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum occupies a restored historic bathhouse at 369 Central Avenue. Its exhibits and interpretive films introduce the bathhouse experience. The Lamar Bathhouse houses the park bookstore, the Bathhouse Emporium, which operates seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The park has 26 miles of hiking trails, along with a paved route through the historic core. The Grand Promenade runs 0.5 mile one way, with ramp access behind the Fordyce Bathhouse and near Fountain Street. Benches and waysides line the route, making it a practical walk to pair with Bathhouse Row.

Arlington Lawn and the sidewalks along Bathhouse Row are also outdoor areas to include in a visit. For a wider look at the park, free designated parking areas sit along the scenic drives at picnic areas, viewpoints, and trailheads.

The Fordyce Visitor Center and Museum is the main visitor-services stop on Bathhouse Row. Two wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge for use inside the visitor center and museum.

Visitors to Bathhouse Row and the Fordyce Visitor Center may use city parking areas. The city parking garage at 128 Exchange Street is one block west of the visitor center. For more details on parking and arrival, use this guide to Hot Springs National Park parking and access.

Park roads have a vehicle length limit of 30 feet. Gulpha Gorge Campground is open year-round; its picnic area and amphitheater are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

From the hotel, allow about five minutes by car to reach Hot Springs National Park. If you are driving from Little Rock, the National Park Service gives the trip to the visitor center as 54 miles and approximately one hour via I-30 West, US 70 West, Spring Street, and Central Avenue.

You can start at the Fordyce Visitor Center, continue along Bathhouse Row, and add the Grand Promenade before heading to a trail or scenic drive. For a visit that fits these stops into a day, the one-day Hot Springs itinerary offers a focused route.

Is there an entrance fee for Hot Springs National Park?

No. The park is fee-free year-round, and no entrance fee or pass is required.

What are the park’s opening hours?

Open daily. Check the National Park Service’s official site before you go, as hours and access details can change.

Can you soak outdoors in the park?

No. There are no outdoor soaking opportunities; thermal-water bathing is available at the Buckstaff and Quapaw bathhouses on Bathhouse Row.

When is the Fordyce Visitor Center open?

It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.